Schwäbische Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH (SW) and its subsidiary SW Automation GmbH will be presenting the mobile robot cell Mobile i-Cell at the automatica trade fair from June 24 - 27. It takes over automated processes such as the handling of workpieces and the operation of machining, washing or assembly stations, thus replacing manual processes in production. "As a mobile unit for automated processing, the Mobile i-Cell opens up new possibilities - from small-scale automation to easily expandable large-scale automation," says Roman Wolf, Team Leader Development Control Technology at SW Automation.
Flexible positioning, targeted automation
The I-Cell is mounted on a mobile carrier system and can be moved through the production environment using a driverless transport system (Mobile i-Wagon). The cell docks in front of the desired station - for example a processing, washing, assembly or DMC laser station. An integrated robot with gripper system removes the raw material from upstream removal stations, the so-called Mobile i-Storages, loads the processing station and returns the workpieces once the process is complete. The Mobile i-Storages can also be moved automatically by the Mobile i-Wagon.
Open for systems from other manufacturers
Mobile i-Cell is designed for payloads of up to 120 kg. The cell can be flexibly networked with SW machines as well as with systems from other manufacturers. Power supply and control are provided directly via the respective station or via SW's own automation platform, which orchestrates robots, transport systems and order data.
For more flexibility and scalability
Companies can start with just a few modules and expand the system step by step as required. By using several cells in parallel, consistently high capacity utilization can be achieved even with short cycle times of less than 10 minutes. Robotics and AMRs are supplied by system partner Kuka.